Creon
Extended Character Analysis
Creon is the King of Thebes and a recurring character throughout the Oedipus Trilogy. He rose to power after the deaths of Eteocles and Polynices, who inherited the throne from their father, Oedipus. Creon is a practiced statesman who has assisted the rulers of Thebes for many years. At the start of Antigone, he is well respected for his rational, level-headed approach to leadership. However, his cold rationality fails to account for the familial bonds that lead Antigone to bury her brother. He also disregards the gods’ demands that the dead be treated with dignity.
Creon as Complicated Antagonist
Though Creon is the antagonist of Antigone, he is not necessarily a villain. His actions are not intentionally spiteful or evil. Instead, Creon is attempting to create stability and order in a country recently riven by civil war. The Theban people view Polynices as a traitor who led an army against his own country. Creon’s decree that Polynices shall not receive a proper burial stems from his belief that enemies of Thebes are not owed the same respect and dignity in death. Creon is less a heartless villain and more a Theban nationalist. For Creon, the safety and stability of Thebes is more important than sentimentality or religious observances.
Creon can also be interpreted as an oppressive authority figure. By this reading, Antigone is a hero who defies Creon in order to do what she believes is right. By contrast, Creon ignores the advice of Haemon, the chorus, and Teiresias and stubbornly asserts the superiority of his own narrow judgment. He insists that Antigone must be punished, or else he will be seen as a lesser man and leader. By this reading, Creon is chiefly concerned with maintaining his own dominance and reputation. The fate of Thebes is of secondary importance.
Creon as Tragic Hero
Creon can be read as the play’s tragic hero. Perhaps even more so than Antigone, Creon experiences the reversal of fortune that Aristotle identifies as essential to the formation of a tragic figure. He begins at a high point as the newly appointed King of Thebes. He has the respect of his people and his family. Creon’s hamartia, or tragic flaw, is hubris, which leads him to believe that the laws of the state are more important than the so called unwritten laws of the gods. Because of this stubborn belief in his own judgment, Creon loses his family and the respect of his people. At the end of the play, he recognizes his errors in judgment and laments the losses it has cost him.
There are many parallels between Creon in Antigone and Oedipus in Oedipus Rex that reinforce Creon’s status as a tragic hero. Both begin their respective trajectories as powerful and respected kings, and both are ultimately punished for defying the will of the gods. The people around both Creon and Oedipus attempt to warn them against their pursuits, but both men remain committed to their chosen paths until it is too late. Ultimately, both Creon and Oedipus learn that no mortal is superior to the will of the gods. Creon repeats these mistakes despite having witnessed Oedipus’s downfall, which speaks to the human tendency to exaggerate one’s own importance.
Expert Q&A
What happens to Creon at the end of Sophocles' Antigone?
At the end of Sophocles' Antigone, Creon is devastated by the tragic deaths of Antigone, his son Haemon, and his wife Eurydice, all of whom commit suicide. Creon acknowledges his responsibility for these deaths and is overwhelmed by grief, transforming from a confident ruler to a sorrowful man who prays for death, contemplating suicide.
Creon's decision regarding the burial of Polyneices in Sophocles's Antigone
Creon's decision in Antigone is to deny Polyneices a proper burial. He declares that Polyneices, who fought against Thebes, should be left unburied as a traitor, exposed to the elements and scavengers, as a warning to others. This decree sets the central conflict of the play in motion, as Antigone defies Creon's order to honor her brother with a proper burial.
What do specific lines indicating Creon's misogyny reveal about his character and leadership?
Lines showing Creon's misogyny highlight his insecurity and flawed leadership. He views Antigone's defiance as a threat, fearing that if she remains unpunished, he would be seen as "womanish," equating weakness with femininity. His statement, "No woman shall be the master while I live," underscores his need to assert dominance over women. Additionally, Creon's personification of Anarchy as female reveals deep-seated fears and bias, reflecting his inability to recognize his own role in creating chaos.
In Antigone, what does Teiresias predict for Creon and what mistakes does he highlight?
In Antigone, Creon's mistakes were to forbid the burial of Polynices, an act which is hateful to the gods, and to then order Antigone's death by entombment. Teiresias warns Creon to change course, stating that the gods will punish him if he does not, and that Creon will suffer greatly as a result.
Creon's Character Development in Sophocles' Antigone
In Sophocles' Antigone, Creon undergoes significant character development, shifting from a stubborn, authoritarian ruler to a tragic figure who gains wisdom too late. Initially, Creon prioritizes state laws over divine laws, refusing burial rites for Polynices and punishing Antigone. His hubris leads to personal tragedy, including the deaths of his son Haemon and wife Eurydice. Influenced by the prophet Tiresias and the Chorus, Creon eventually recognizes his errors, but his transformation comes at a devastating cost, highlighting themes of pride, power, and divine justice.
Creon's Decree and Justice in Antigone
In Sophocles' Antigone, King Creon decrees that Eteocles will receive a military burial for defending Thebes, while Polynices, deemed a traitor for attacking the city, will remain unburied. This decree punishes anyone who attempts to bury Polynices with death by stoning. The play questions the justice of Creon's law, highlighting opposition from Antigone, Tiresias, and others who argue for a higher moral law and criticize Creon's stubbornness and self-interest. The decree is portrayed as unjust, petty, and contrary to divine will.
What are Creon's views on women and femininity in Antigone?
Creon views women as inherently inferior, reflecting the norms of ancient Greece, where women's roles were confined to the home. Antigone's defiance of his orders not only challenges his authority as king but also threatens his masculinity and societal gender roles. Creon's reaction, including ordering Antigone's execution, is an assertion of male dominance and sovereignty. Antigone's actions contrast with traditional gender expectations, which Creon perceives as a societal threat.
How does Sophocles use indirect characterization in Antigone to develop Creon's personality?
Sophocles uses indirect characterization to develop the personality of Creon through the arrogant tone he adopts when talking to the prophet Tiresias. Although Tiresias is widely respected, Creon is so stubborn and set in his ways that he treats him with contempt.
What tragic flaws does Creon reveal in his conversation with Haemon in Antigone? What are his views on Ismene?
In his conversation with Haemon, Creon reveals tragic flaws of rigidity and insecurity. He demands blind obedience from Haemon, reflecting his authoritarian nature and fear of losing control as the new king. Creon believes that allowing family rebellion would undermine his rule. Regarding Ismene, Creon dismisses her as lacking intelligence and character, indicating his misogynistic views. He criticizes both Antigone for defiance and Ismene for obedience, highlighting his flawed perception of women.
Is Creon justified in denying Polyneices' burial and condemning Antigone's defiance?
Creon is justified in denying Polyneices' burial due to his duty to the kingdom, viewing Polyneices as a traitor who attacked Thebes. As king, Creon prioritizes state law over family ties. When Antigone defies this decree, Creon shows some leniency due to familial connections, questioning her motivations. However, her persistent defiance forces Creon to uphold his authority and the law, justifying his actions to maintain respect and control as king.
Where in Antigone does Creon demonstrate his loyalty to his country?
"The city is the king’s” (825).
Creon demonstrates his loyalty to Thebes by prioritizing the city's interests over familial ties. In his first speech, he emphasizes the importance of state integrity and dismisses nepotism, stating that a ruler must not place friends or family above the state. By refusing to bury Polynices, whom he deems a traitor, and treating Antigone, his son's fiancée, without favoritism, Creon believes he is acting patriotically to maintain law and order.
In Sophocles' Antigone, what are the most important principles to Creon and Antigone?
- Loyalty or obligation to family
- Obedience to civil law
- Observance of religious law
- Protection of personal dignity
- Protection of community or nation
In "Antigone," Creon values obedience to civil law and the protection of the nation, equating his laws with state supremacy. Antigone prioritizes loyalty to family and observance of religious law, defying Creon's edict to honor her brother's burial rights. Both characters are driven by the protection of personal dignity, with their stubborn adherence to principles leading to alienation and tragedy. Their unyielding stances underscore the play's central conflict.
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